Article archive / August 1, 2013
Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 12. Source pages: 5, 6.
The state psychology board published their Notice of Intent laying out proposed changes to the continuing education rules, in the July issue of the Louisiana Register. After almost three years of discussions about these changes, prompted by recommendations from the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and first discussed in 2011, the board is presenting what may be the final proposal for these changes.
The current version of the proposed rule increases hours, or credits, from 30 to 40, and greatly expands the types of training allowed. The new rule using the term “continuing professional development” rather than continuing education.
This latest version incorporates ideas from community members gathered last fall and also this past March, at the board’s long- range planning meeting. Based on this feedback, the board removed the fixed percentages of training hours that would have been required for various categories of training activities. Now, psychologists will have a great deal of flexibility to choose the type of educational activity he or she wants.
However, the psychologist will have to take training in at least two of the categories, a requirement board members felt was needed to stop some from choosing 100 percent self-study.
Written public comments about this “Notice of Intent” should be sent to the Board’s Executive Director, Kelly Parker, by noon, August 9.
Psychologists will have time to get used to the changes. Licensees will use the new categories during their reporting cycles in 2014–2016 (for those with even-numbered licenses) and 2015–2017 (for odd- numbered). However, the increase in hours, from 30 to 40, will not take effect under the reporting cycles that follows.
These new categories will be:
1. Peer Consultation (1 hour of peer consultation equals 1 credit). Examples include case consultation groups, journal clubs, regional research groups.
2. Practice Outcome Monitoring (1 completed questionnaire equals 1 credit). This is an activity where the psychologist assesses patient/client outcomes.
3. Professional Activities (one year equals 10 credits) involves serving on a national, regional, or state psychological association board or committee or board.
4. Conferences and Conventions (one conference day equals one credit).
5. Academic Courses (one three- hour course or equivalent equals 20 credits). Examples include graduate-level course related to psychologist’s discipline.
6. Instruction (one three-hour course equals 20 credits; one full- day workshop equals 10 credits).
7. Publications (one article equals 10 credits; book chapter equals 10 credits). Publications including authoring an article for peer–reviewed publications, or being the editor or co- editor of a book related to the field of psychology.
8. Traditional Continuing Education. Includes approved Sponsored CE (one hour equals 1 credit) workshops from a recognized approved sponsor such as APA or any of its approved sponsors, academies of professional specialty boards, regionally accredited colleges or universities, continuing medical education in category 1 of AMA or its subsidiaries including grand rounds.
9. Self-directed Learning (one hour equals one credit). Examples include reading, videos, and/or other unsponsored activities.
A tenth category, Board Certification from the American Board of Professional Psychology, was dropped from earlier versions.
The proposed rules can be found at the Louisiana Register, July 2013 issue. Go to http://www.doa.la.gov/osr/ reg/register.htm
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.